Entry Word: obscene

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society <obscene language and artwork is forbidden in this school>

Synonyms bawdy, coarse, crude, dirty, filthy, foul, gross, indecent, lascivious, lewd, nasty, pornographic, ribald, smutty, unprintable, vulgar, wanton

Related Words earthy, racy, salty, suggestive; indecorous, unbecoming; debasing, perverted, profane; naughty, wicked; exceptionable, objectionable, unacceptable, undesirable, unwanted, unwelcome; abhorrent, disgusting, loathsome, offensive, repellent (also repellant), repugnant, repulsive, revolting; distasteful, obnoxious, unpleasant; blamable, blameworthy, censurable, reprehensible; atrocious, infamous; abusive, scurrilous

Near Antonyms priggish, prim, prudish, puritanical, straitlaced (or straightlaced), Victorian; correct, decorous, genteel, polite, proper, seemly; innocuous, inoffensive; acceptable, agreeable, desirable, pleasant, pleasing, welcome; appropriate, becoming, fit, meet, suitable; immaculate, perfect, pure, spotless; approved, endorsed, sanctioned

Antonyms clean, decent

2 causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment <that ugly new store is really an obscene bit of architecture> — see offensive 1